On June, 23 member countries unanimously agreed to collaborate with Korea. The same applies to entering into the first stage of cooperation, the Framework Agreement.
On the 7th in Paris, France, Alexander Soucek, Director of International Cooperation, stated that the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) plan to sign a Framework Agreement to strengthen cooperation soon. The agency, which was established last year, has chosen ESA as its core partner to enhance its global cooperation network. It has been steadily knocking on ESA's door, and the fruits of that effort are finally in sight.
The interview with Director Soucek took place at the ESA headquarters in the 'Eiffel Room,' which overlooks the Eiffel Tower. He noted, "The strength of the Korean space industry lies in its diversity, not focusing on specific areas," and emphasized that "it is important to develop specific programs that Korea and Europe will pursue together after signing the Framework Agreement." He listed satellite navigation systems, basic scientific research, astronomical exploration, and solar observation as key agendas.
The ESA is an agency leading research and development (R&D) and policy in the space sector across Europe, with an annual budget reaching €7.79 billion (approximately 12.55 trillion won). It involves 23 member countries from Europe, and non-European country Canada also collaborates with ESA. Korea has set a long-term goal of becoming an official partner of ESA.
The strengthening of cooperation with ESA during the Trump administration’s slowdown at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seen as an opportunity for the space agency. The Trump administration is pushing for a reduction of NASA's budget from $24.8 billion (approximately 34.1 trillion won) to $18.8 billion (25.8 trillion won). NASA's scientific budget is expected to be halved. The political news outlet Politico reported on the 9th (local time) that over 2,000 senior NASA officials are preparing for retirement.
A source at the space agency stated, "It is true that we are on the verge of signing a Framework Agreement with ESA," adding that "this will open the door for Korea's participation in various space programs led by Europe, including Copernicus." The Copernicus program is the world's largest Earth observation program managed by the European Commission (EC) and ESA.
However, even if the space agency signs the Framework Agreement, there is still a long way to go before it can officially participate in various programs led by ESA. Director Soucek explained, "To directly participate in ESA's programs or incorporate domestic projects into ESA programs, we must become an associate member." Thus, this signing of the Framework Agreement is the first step toward concrete cooperation.
France is the most actively involved country in space development among the 23 ESA member countries. This year, the amount France contributes to the ESA budget is €1.0749 billion, accounting for 21.3%. This is why the headquarters of ESA is located in Paris. Following France, Germany (18.8%) and Italy (15.8%) have budget shares exceeding 10%.
Director Soucek explained that participation and collaboration from diverse countries, in addition to major nations like France, Germany, and Italy, support the dynamism of ESA. He said, "ESA has entered into over 600 agreements so far and signs 8 to 10 new agreements globally each year," adding that "although ESA consists of 23 member countries, it can work with the world through agreements."
The ESA headquarters was designed with openness and collaboration as its motto. The second floor of the ESA headquarters consists of offices for staff dispatched from various member countries and spaces where various committees within ESA hold meetings. While the committee rooms are divided into three meeting rooms, they can be combined into one space as needed.
An ESA source explained, "The corridor between the committee room and the member country offices is effectively a communication space where important decisions are made," adding that "enabling member countries to communicate face to face is an important goal for ESA."
(This article was supported by the Korea Press Foundation (KPF) through the 2025 KPF Diplomacy and Aerospace Program.)